Paul Morris, regional returning officer for the European Election, said this had helped to increase awareness and he expected more people to vote as a result.

He: “I think this year is going to be very interesting following all the national coverage Europe has been given. Often European elections get a little bit forgotten but I don’t think that will be the case this time around.”

Wiltshire Council is expecting a turnout of between 40 to 45 per cent on Thursday. Voting begins at 7am on Thursday, May 22, and finishes at 10pm.

The council will verify papers from 9am on Friday at Malmesbury Leisure Centre, Devizes Leisure Centre, Trowbridge Civic Centre and Salisbury Five Rivers Leisure Centre.

The count will be held at the Christie Miller Leisure Centre in Melksham, on Sunday, May 25, and will start at 2pm, but cannot be declared until the last European country has voted, which will be Italy at 10pm.